October 20, 2016

Polysaccharide of chitin

Chitin is a major structural polysaccharide found in inveterate animals and lower plants. It is widely available biopolymer obtained principally from shrimp and crab shell waste.

It is occurs as highly ordered microfibrils in many species, in a variety of arrangements, from diatom spines to cell was components of many fungi and yeasts.

Chitin is a type of polysaccharide composed of an amino sugar and consisting of a straight chain molecule by binding D-glucosamines in which each amino sugar is acetylated by β-1,4 linkage.

Chitin
Among the three forms, α-chitin is the most abundant, crystalline, tightly compacted and stable form in which the chains are arranged in an anti-parallel fashion. α-chitin is found where extra hardness proves essential, whereas β- and γ-chitin provide toughness, flexibility and mobility.

Chitin is considered the second most plentiful biomaterial following cellulose. When chitin is deacetylated to about 50% of the free amine form, it is referred to as chitosan.

Chitin is produced by removing calcium carbonate and proteins from the shells. In the production of chitin, calcium carbonate is first dissolved by stirring the shells in dilute hydrochloric acid at ambient temperature.

Proteins are then extracted from the decalcified shells by threatening them with dilute aqueous sodium hydroxide; crude chitin is then obtained.
Polysaccharide of chitin
at 7:30 PM
Labels: , , ,

The Most Popular Posts

  • Crude Fiber
    Crude fiber is a measure of the quantity of indigestible cellulose, pentosans, lignin, and other components of this type in present foods. ...
  • Sources of meat
    Of the many foods obtained from the land, humans tend to prefer animal foods, mainly beef, pork, poultry and mutton as well as their by-pr...
  • Crude Fat
    Crude fat is the term used to refer to the crude mixture of fat-soluble material present in a sample. Crude fat also known as the ether ext...
  • The process of gelatinization
    Gelatinization occurs when starch granules are heated in a liquid. It is responsible for the thickening of food systems. The process is an i...
  • Ash content in food
    Ash or mineral content is the portion of the food or any organic material that remains after it is burned at very high temperatures. The a...
  • Soft drinks
    Phosphoric acid, an ingredient commonly found in carbonated soft drinks, poses significant risks to dental and overall health, beyond what many consumers r...
  • Instant Noodles
    Instant noodles, touted as one of the most remarkable culinary inventions, belie their age-old origins. These noodles, steeped in centuries of tradition, h...
  • Healthy Diet
    Most American today are overfed yet undernourished, which eventually leads to obesity and poor health. The answer to those pervasive problem is simply to ...